| Abstract: | The effect of tropopause height on the content of 137Cs and total beta activity in surface atmosphere was considered for the period of intensive nuclear weapon tests, from 1968–1971. The activity of 137Cs in monthly air filter samples was measured by gamma spectrometry and total beta activity was determined by 2π proportional counters. The results were correlated with data on tropopause height. The results indicate that the movement of radioactive debris from the stratosphere into the troposphere occurs simultaneously with the changes in tropopause height. The content of long lived radionuclides in the troposphere follows the changes with a certain delay due to meteorological conditions in surface air and due to the location of sampling. |
